Tube resonator for banjos



40 theiipp'er or- Patented 16, c I

T0 alliwiliomitmayconcern; I 1

Besit knolwnthat I, NI'LIJI L; LANGE, a citizen-lofxthe UnitedjStatesjresiding, in r NeWiYorkcity;.initheicoiinty;ofxlflew York 1: to of New York, have: invented cer- I 9 meme part, lularly .tobanjos, and 4011 9b} ofthe: 'nventionj-isitoz'providea banjo Porty means having minimum, contact With'ithe atone ring ,---this means also conchw ha inn rirnunrot vi Q f ingcontact with the tone thetubes at their s ipporting enclscor nnicatingiwith the interior'offthe Qheaclportion-- or tone chamber ofthe'banjo, and-cominnnioatinget v so ztheiroppos t p I congl'ucing to a povverfuland sing ng tone 0t ncls fvvith the atmosphere and nnusiial volume anclcatryingc power. I r Another object is to provide a-ba'njoin which t 'rimgmr emin diaphragm a straining ring-or hand: are Lall Y n eans'jha Ingn iniinn'in'nnit' the tonering. [i

Another object-is-tg p h oafthe. frame or hell .to' aline slightly above theilower edge of the I tone lll'ig;alldf in p-rqx iit' thenncler side v r y a 'rne'ansproviding relatively narrow spacebe tween the cliaphi agm andtoneri igancl Saicl ineans; which narrovv space f;communicates with space betiveenthe lower edge. of the ri n ot'r-the'hanjo Iancl thegiipperedgieof the heme,-

for passage of vibrations" from the interior ofthe banjo through 'saidnarrow space and l out through said sp ace between the rim end fra1ne,ithe intention being all tones'and vibrationsshall asyfan as possible, pass through saidnarrovvi space and the space he- 5 tiv'e'en jthe' riin i ftlld flffi m e and through v the betore f mentioned -xsupporting tubes, L thus I cutting short of the .vibrations 1 ewrandinsetul IIIIPifOYQIHGHtSIlH Tube. 1 Resonators for Banjostofi-which the follo vi the tone; ljingeof the banjo; vis su 7 tzwith :the. tone ring l, supportedby j g conta t v-ith;

e a elli 1 ineans extend ng from;

he enclesnre v on rent; i S

V TUBE nnsonnron non-newne s. e niaaenvfiied omter 2s, --'1'e; 21. SetfallQo/SQLOQfi.

v avoiding the. direct passage lof'thevibrations from the-interior or tone chamber oi the" banjo siclewise anclthe striking of the bocly of theperfornier by theseVibrhtions and the 1A". principal feature of any present con strnction lies in the bridging effiec'tthis con struction permits nus-to the .tubularlsupport =02? the tone ring at intervals. Thls space supporting, or bridging-support, of the tone ring gives a minimum of inutingcontactto the toneflring thereby permitting the said ring to havea maximum of vibrantlqiialityf Heretofore, the tone ring as'orclinarily sup- I in advance of all other constructions and the tone. quality of thebanj 0 istherebyin' creased. p

In the Qacconipanying of the .-banjo and a portion of the neck.

F gure 2, 18 a fragmentary elevation of drawing, which .showsby Way of example one embodiment of the invention and forms part of this specification, Fi ure l, is a plan view o-fthe' head ported is in full contact with the'snpportin'g v meensthereby smothering the vibrant quaL the heaclofthe. banjo,- on the line2+2 of i Fig. 1, showing a portion of theinterior of the frame and ofthe interior of the enclosure member or nnerframe band, and showing m tront v ew the strainingmeniber or rools,

theabi'ackets therefor, and the si'ipporting tribes.

-,Fi-gu1 1e 3,-;is afrag nentary elevation on van enlarged scale, of the headvof the banjo subets art-d ute V Y Figure- 4, is a bottom lan view :ofthe head of: the o, and showing the under side of the neck cross-bar.

': stantially'siniilarto Fig. 2; bnt'omitting the front view of the straining members, :brack connected to the helaclby the Similar reference characters denotes simi lair-parts,throughout the several views,

To the accomplishment of the above Hob-1' jeots; and such other objects aswill .bedis! I ClOSQd ll'L the course ofthe following description for illustrating the invention by one embodiment thereof, the invention. being clefineol by the appended claims, the invention comprises the annular frame or shell "10,

preterablyojf woochprovicled with aseries,

' It willb'e noted} that the tone ring20, is

of apertures l liextending therethrough from its lower .to its upperedge, and spaced around the circumferenceof the frame.

The diameterof the apertures llfor thegreater part'of their length,ris the diameter off the exterior of the tubes later described,

the diameter of these apertures" being en- 1 larged near their lowerends,as.at" 12,Qfor'the purpose later mentioned. I V 10 Eachitubelo'f thefseries of metal tubes,

: such asl13,fFigs. 2 and 3 is received in the upper "end 'of" an aperture 11," the tube being.

- "stantially triangular in shape when fviewed fromthe side, and areprovidedi near, their outer edges with threaded apertures "16,; w-hich may be inwardly inclined.

"3 2 Thelrim 17 is an annular band, prefer frame--10- from: the interior" thereof out- The brackets 15' are of metal andfare'sub- 'ably metal, havingan annular groove 18 1 init s top bottom edge.-

. Thetonering'20 is edge and a bearing face- 19onits the ring 20, the diaphragm' or vellum contactingwith the tone ring and being sup ported thereby,the edge of thefdiaphragm 7; being turned or folded over asquared strain- 7 ing or fieshchoopi22, in such mannerthat when the rim- 17 A is d'rawn tightly 1 down ward'so thatithe face- 19 is in contactwith i the diaphragm .or Vellum this will .be' held at its edge and stretched, and the hoop 22 will be supported by the" diaphragm or-vellum.

' I "The tone ring .20 issupported onthe upper ends of the series of'tubes 13 by resting on a' substantially segmental portion of thewall ofeach tube, theremainder of the boreof the tube, being vopen and communicatingwith the interior of the banjo for the passage of. vibrations therethr'ough.

it thussupported byi means spaced apart, hav ing minimum muting contact with the tone 7 for the brackets 15," these members having stems 24 the lower ends of which pass through the brackets and are threaded'ffor .ring, the tone:ring bridging the space between the supports and having a maximumofvibrant-quality. I It will also be noted that the tone-ring 20,, "-fdiaphragm' or vellum 21', flesh'hoop 22, and

rim 17 are all; supported bythe series] of .tubes' 13," which in turn are supported by the screw-bolts 14;.

straining members or rods23 are provided,

I engagement with the" interiorly-r threaded V handles 25 which engagethe under sidesot --the brackets. V

will be that t eitubes, tom-ra Vvibratorydiaphragm, straining band, I

head, except the inner enclosure ember 2 "frame band 27 is an" annular ban'd of rela tively light metahretained-inoperative posi :Qf theframe or 'shell 10;! Theband 2792:

between the under side of the tonefrin received closel v within the rim -17 but permits passage :o fthe vibra i tory diaphragm or vellum 21 between-the interior side of the rim andthe'exterior of lower ends, as ,at 1 2, for; .receivingjthe grommets or'terminals 32, the space 38".a-f gl,

the vibrations emitted from the tubes 13, should 'be 'understood that there without departing fromthe spirit-of the in pended claims.

i frame extending in the line of depth of the 'frame and communicating "at one: of their bracketsand; straining members are all' 'p rii marily supported bya single means,nthat is,j-the screw ."bolts. ll,appnrtenant to the frame or. shell; andithat by removal ofthej f screw bolts 14 all the parts of the banjo? later described, may be disassembled.

The .inner enclosure member orunne tion by being sprung-at its lower. end an interior annular vrabbet'28in the top edg tends upwardly to lineslightly; above th upper ends ofgthe] tubes- 13 andf slightlabove the lower edge' oif the tonering T20 the'zband' 27 ,zbeing' spaced away from th tone ring, there being a narrow space 29110;: "tween the {under side of the diaphragm,

vellum 2l and the top edge of the-band communicating with the space 3'0 compri 20- and the top edge of the 'shell or-rfram 10,which space 30.communicates with th space 31 betweenthe-lowe'r edge ofthe fies hoop 22,; or broadly'speaking the lowe edgeof the rim-'17, andlthe topedge'of .th' shell; or I frame:v and op'e ning td zthe --ati mosph'ere. for "passage" of: vibrations, th

space 29 also'permittingfi passage of vibra tions throughthe tubes-13.11

V The annular space between-the frame l0 'L' and tonefri'ng 20, and between fthe rim' l, and the band" 27 constitutes an :o'utward'l opening chamber receiving vibrations from said 'frame, ring, rim'and band and from said space-29., i'

'The' apertures 11' are enlarged near their" forded at the lower ends. of thetubes lfif and-by the adjoining 'interiors of the groin; x mets 32-providing a; somewhat bell-moutheda f chamberconducing to: the amplification of n 5 "Havingithus described; my invention, 1

modifications thereof and" variations" therein Q V Orexceeding the, scope of the apf What.I-'claim"anld desire to protect Letters'Patentiszj 1 .r I -1-. Inf-a banjo, a frame havinglars'eries of spaced apertures.therethrough around the ends with theatmosphere, tubular members having portlonssupported in saidapertures at'the ends thereof opposite the first men:

tionedends andhaving portions extending" beyond the frame towards the front of the 1 ament banjo,; a :vibr-atory annular rmember suppQ vdlon the ends .of .-;said extendingportion's-and permitting passageof sound from the interior of the banjo 'into-the tubular members an thence byf Way of said ap,er

' tu-restoithe;.;at1nosphere;-and meanslfor restaining said. annular member on the ends of A the extending portions ofthe tubular mom v 'k)eI -SV -J r r i v r p In ,a'banjo aframehaving a series of sp acedflapertures th'erethrough."around the fed on the; ends of' saidi extending, portions and--permittingpassage of sound from the,

" 'fraine extending inv the line of depth of the interior of -;the banjo into'the tubular members} and thence by Way 7 of said a apertures to the atmosphere, a vellum extending over said ,annularmember, andmeans for stretching the vellum over. said annular member and'thereby retaining the annular member onjjtheendsof said extending portion Of the tubular members' z 3.' ':-In a banjo, a fra e having a series of; spaced apertures therethrough around the, frame extendingin thedine of depth of the {frame land communicating at one of their ends with"thefatmosphere, tubular members having portions supported in said apertures; I at the ends thereof opposite to the first mentioned ief ds and having portions. extending *beyond the" frame towards the f-ront of the, banjo, -a toneringsupported on thefends of V said extending portions and permitting pas-f it I sage of soundfrom the interior of the banjov phere' at the back of the banjo;

into the tubular members and thence by way of said apertures tothe atmosphere, a vellum extendinglover said t'one ring, means for stretching the vellum over said tone ring and-thereby retaining the ,tone ring on the ends ofsaid-extendingportions of the tubular members, and a frame bandsecured to said-frame adjacent to the extending port ons' 0 1 1 6 "circ'uinferen al sp ace formed by the eXtend- -portilons of the tubulan membersand f extending to t me somewhatabove the "free edgeof-theitone ring and; spaced away. from the extending portions ofthe tubular -memu'bular members in the interior r ndl h t ml ring-1.: r- I A 5 abanjofa framehaving a series of 'spaeed apertures therethrough 3 around the frame and communicating atone of their ends I with -the atmosphere, tubular members v I having portions supported in said apertures 1 at the-ends thereof-opposite to rth'e first mentioned ends and-.havings portions extending beyond. the qframe towards thefront of; the.

banjo, a tone ring supported on theqends. 'of each ofthe extending port-ions and, permitting passage of sound from the interior ofthe I-banjo into the, tubular members vand thence byQ-Way'of said apertures. to the atn'iosphere, means in said apertures at the ends thereof communicating with the a t-- mospherehaving bores of the same diameter as the bores of the tubular members for providing coincidence of the. bores of said members and said meansfor unbroken pas-' sage of sound to the atmosphere through said members and saidan'eans, and means for retainingt'he tone ring on the ends of the 'extending portions of the tubular members;

' 5.111 abanjo, a framehaving a series of spaced 7 apertures. therethrough around the frame extendinginthe line of depth of the frame and communicatingat onefcoftheir ends-Withthe atmosphere, and tubular members-having portions received in said-apertures at the ends'thereof opposite to the first mentioned ends and having portions extendmg-beyondthe' frame towards the front of the banjo-for passage of sound from thexf interior of the banjo through the tubular members by Way of said "apertures to the atmosphere. l

a banjo, a, tone ringgan annular frame-having a, series of spaced apertures therethrough around the frame extending,

on the line of depth. of the frame and com-'w -munic ating at one of their ends With the atmosphere at they back of the banjo, and 1 1 means cooperating between the tone" ring rand -sa-id frame at-rtheflends of said apertures opposite to the first mentioned Lends for sijipporting the tone-ring ,on the' 'frame 'and'pe'rmittingpassage of sound from the interior pfwthe banjo through said'means and the'apert-ures of the frameto the" atmos- ,7..In combination, aqvooden frame hav ing] spaced verticalbores gtherethrough;

;metal tubes open at both ends andrieceived in said bores and projecting Well above the upper edge of the frame; brackets on the outside of the frame; bolts through the frame, tubes and; V brackets and forming means for holding these parts in place and permitting; passage of sound through the tubes; a metal tone ring. restingon the tops of said tubes near theouter edgeof the tops a vellu m disposed over said'ring andhaving to leavethe tubes partly open at their 'topsyl a'flesh hoop; a metal tension'rim disposed around said vellum, ring and tubes and rest ng on said hoop; and meansengaging vover said tension rim and passing through said --brackets for exerting strain upon the V vellum; a .v

8. In comb nat on, a deep wooden frame hav ng Widely spaced vertical bores therein;

i is metal .tubes'open at both endsaird ofless internal diameter than and ffa'st in said bores terminating abut half-way of o the A bores and proj ectingwell above the upper edge of the frame; grommets ins'etainj. and:

tubes; at velluml't'ensioned over saidring; a 70;

slightly projecting from the lower ends of;

Jsaid bores and cooperating withtheitubes' for providing coincidence, rof the bores :of

V *fthe'ltubes with "the bores {of the" frame;

brackets on the outside of the framefbolts these' parts" in place and permitting passage of sound through the tubes a metal tone ring: resting on the top of saidtubes near 1 the outer edge. of"the.f ops to leave the tubes open for; passage of sound; a vellum disposed; over said ton'e ring and h'aving a flesh" ,hoop'fa metal tension rim disposed around said Vellum, ring'and tubes and rest-1 ing fon said hoop; and ,meansengag1ng over therein; 1 tubes in "said bores proj eating, well 'of the frame; bolts for holding these parts ftubes'; a vellum disposed over said tone ring;

said tension rim and'passing through said brackets and provided with nuts for exert-' I so ing strainyon the vellumLj said "ring; and; a thin metal .inner band 'mounted on said frame. within the interior circumferential space formed by the series o'ftubes and vhaving its upper edge termi- 9. In combination, a frame; seriesof open tubes mounted on the; frame; atone "ring on said tubesya vellum' 'tensioned over cooperating with; the ring, rimQ-Vellum and Q 10 Incombination; a frame; atone-ring {if spaced above the-frame;,,a'velluinjtensioned oversaid ring; and a? thin inner: band" mounted n said frame extending; nearly but not q'uite' tothetop'level of the ring and eiqjosed between theiframe jandtone 1-1 I, 1 comb nation,' a; wooden frame; 'a

r tone ring-spaced above the frame; a helium tenslonedover said r ng; and an outwardly 1 exposed metal 'innerband; setin and projectring above said. frame andffreeof cont act said frame and' ha'v in'g its entire upper edge free; andmeans cooperating wit'hthe hand to; form an outwardlyiopen outer chamber mounted on thefra'me' aring on said tubes j a vellum tensioned 'oi'r'er said ring; a ten and a band mounted on -said frame and have supported by the tubes f'and spaced abovethe frame leaving a sound passagetherebetween; a Yellum tensioned over said ring; 7 v and a' thin metal inner band mounted on' fl.

said frame 'andhaving a thin upper edge disposed-closeto the vellum to'form'a nar crow passage.

ring; a tension rim secured aroundfj said" -rlng. and. series; anda thin. inner gb'and: -mounted OILSLld frame and'ha'vlng lts uppel sioned frim secured around saiclring' and" -tubes -i a'nd :an inner band mounted on said of; said" rim cooperating'witlr said rim to fornran outer chamber. 7' I lt ln combination,; a frame {atone ring I 1 jspaced "above the "frame afvellum tensioned f ver; said ring g'a tension rimt secured around and spaced from said ring; oandLan-inner Q band; mounted on said frame; and cooper sion rim"; to form an outer resona ting chamform an outer chamber.

ner band mounted on' said frame'iandcoop -erating with the tension rim and ring to 'forman outer-chamber. f v '7 1'6. In combination, a frame a series" of said ring; and means cooperating to formsupported the.-tube's;and spaced above," vi

the frame leaving a sound passage therebe- 111g its upper edgedisposedfwithin the-ringclose-[to the'vellum, and cooperating lwith the vellum to] form a-narrow passage Varied 'injwidth by the-vibration of the vellumj I 19. Inj combinatiomia-l frame; aseriesof;

rerating with thewellum to'forni avnarrowl ating with the tensionrim and vellum to:

' 15;:In combination, a frame; tubes f-' mounted onthe frame; a tOIIO IlIIg O II sa1d= rim secured around said series;.and an m tub e se mounted on c the frame a -tone rin above sa d tubes; a vellum. tensioned over which the tubes open. V r i 17. In combination, aframe having bore inner and 'outer chambers'into thelatter of; v

above th'e mm; brackets on 'gthe outside in-place; a; tone ring; on the top of said 5 a rimflsecured to said 'vellumand around said 1 ring'and' tubes; strain hooks between said rimand bra'ckets'; and a thin' inner band mountedgiir said frameand 'extendingto near said vellum; Within the tone ringand j frame to form outer and inner chambers. y 1

I 18. lnfcombination; a frame a-series of i tubes "supported by" the frame,' a; tone ring-: 5

tween;i a; Vellum tensioned' over said ring;

tubes {supported by the frame, atone ring 1 20. In combination, a frame-ya series of? tubes mounted on the frame tone ring on r said: series; a Vellum tensioned over said edge disp osed" close to the vellum and co' op passage varied in width bythelvibrationof'f the vellum said inner band rcooperating' with'the tone ring and vellum and the ten} her into which said narrow passage and'said i 21-. In combination; a frame having bores] V therein; a serles of tubes m said bores'and V PIOJQCtIIIg 'iLbOVG the frame; 'a'tone ring;

above the frame and supported by" said tubes; avellum tensioned' over said ring;

; a tension'rim secured around said ring and serie and a thin inner'band mounted on vsaidflframe to form therewith a main inner resonance chamber and having ts upper edge disposed closelto the vellum and coop- 1 eratingwiththe 'vellumf to form a narrow tubes mountedon 'the fram'e; a tone ring on .passageicvaried in the vibration 3,122. In combination, a frame; a series of said tubes;j"afvellum tensioned over said in ring; a tension rimsecured around said ring f ne'r bfand cooperating with the tone ring and vellmmand the tension run, to form an outer resonatlng chamber communicating with v 23. In combination, a frame having bores therein and a rabbet at the upper inner edge; a series of tubes in said bores projecting well above the frame; brackets on the:

outside of the frame; bolts for holding these parts in place; a tone ring onthe top of said tubes; a vellum disposed over said tone ring and provided with a tension rim around said series; and a thin metal inner band sprung at its lower edge into said rabbet and ventending to near said vellum a slight dis tance from and within the tone ring and cooperating'with the frameto form an inner chamber, and cooperating With'the vellum to form a narrow slit opening; and

cooperating with said rim to form an outer resonance chamber receiving vibrations from the inner chamber, from withinsaid tubes and from the surface of said tubes,

said vellum, said tone ring, said thinband, and sa1d IlIIl. v Y

" WILLIAM L. LANGE. 

